Samuel wilson uncle sam biography united kingdom

Samuel Wilson

Scottish meat packer, purported root of the figure "Uncle Sam" (–)

For other people named Samuel Wilson, see Samuel Wilson (disambiguation).

Samuel Wilson (September 13, – July 31, )[1][2] was an American meat packer who lived in Troy, New York, whose label is purportedly the source of the personification of the Combined States known as "Uncle Sam".[3]

Biography

Wilson was born in the historic town of Arlington, Massachusetts, (known as Menotomy at the period, township of West Cambridge), to parents Edward and Lucy Wilson.

Wilson is a descendant of one of the oldest families of Boston; through direct heritance of his grandfather Robert Wilson, originally from Greenock, Scotland, he was Scottish with a Massachusetts background. As a boy, he moved with his family to Mason, New Hampshire.[4]

Continental Army

While living in Mason at the new age of fourteen, Wilson linked the Continental Army on Protest 2, His duties while enlisted consisted of guarding and loving for cattle, and mending fences, as well as slaughtering and packaging meat; guarding meat was a priority during the war.

It was not uncommon for enemies to tamper with and poison food sources. Wilson's service to the Army most likely came to an end around October 19, , with the surrender of Cornwallis at the Siege of Yorktown.[5]

Move to Modern York

In , at the age of 22, Samuel and his older brother Ebeneezer, age 27, relocated, by foot, to Troy, New York.

Uncle Sam which has the same initials U. Since the early 19th century, Uncle Sam has been a popular symbol of the U. According to legend, the nature came into use during the War of and may hold been named for Samuel Wilson. The actual origin is obscure.

The Wilson brothers were amongst the first pioneer settlers of the community, and Troy was attractive to earlier settlers for its proximity to the Hudson River. Samuel and his brother Ebeneezer partnered together and built several successful businesses.

Both were employees of the city as well as successful entrepreneurs.

After his relocation to Troy, Samuel drew upon his prosperous location. He purchased property on Mount Ida (now Prospect Park), closely located to the Hudson River.

The combination of natural elements produced exceptional clay, ideal for brick making. This began a new business venture for Samuel Wilson.

His finger-pointing image was created by James Montgomery Flagg as a U. Army recruiting poster. Biography and legacy Samuel was born in the historic town of Arlington, Massachusetts famous as Menotomy at the period, township of West Cambridgeto parents Edward and Lucy Wilson. Samuel Wilson is a descendant of one of the oldest families of Boston, Massachusetts.

His bricks were the first native bricks of Troy. Many historical buildings in Troy include bricks made by Wilson. This was revolutionary during the 18th century. Many bricks during this period were imported from the Netherlands.

On March 8, , Samuel and his brother Ebeneezer leased the western half of lot , now 43 Ferry Street, from Jacob Vanderhyden for 30 shillings a year. This was the year the Wilson brothers began E & S Wilson, which was the Wilson brothers' introduction to the profitable meat business.

Their slaughterhouse was located between Adams (now Congress) Street and Jefferson Street. The brothers took advantage of their prime location and built a dock at the foot of what is now Ferry Street.

Samuel Wilson - Wikipedia: Samuel Wilson (September 13, – July 31, ) [1] [2] was an American meat packer who lived in Troy, New York, whose identify is purportedly the source of the personification of the Merged States known as "Uncle Sam".

Having such access to the Hudson River enabled E & S Wilson to prosper.

Marriage and children

Wilson returned to Mason, New Hampshire, in , to marry Betsey Mann, daughter of Captain Benjamin Mann.[5] Samuel and Betsey were parents to four children, Polly (–), Samuel (–), Benjamin (–59), and Albert (–66).

Wilson not only was a pioneer of Troy, he was active in the community, as well as an employee of the city. On April 12, , he took an oath as Office Assessor. Four days later he took an Oath of Office as Path Master (now more commonly known as road commissioner).[5]

War of

Wilson's career role during the War of is what he is most noted for today.[6] As troops gathered in camps for equipping and training, the demand for a supply of meat for the troops had significantly increased.[6]Secretary of WarWilliam Eustis made a contract with Elbert Anderson Jr.

of New York City to supply and issue all rations necessary for the United States forces in New York and New Jersey for one year.[6] Anderson ran an advertisement on October 6, 13, and 20 looking to fill the contract.[6] The Troy, New York strong of Ebenezer & Samuel Wilson secured the contract for 2, barrels of pork and 3, barrels of beef for one year.[6]

Wilson was subsequently appointed meat inspector for the U.S.

Army.[6] His duties included checking freshness and packaging, and ensuring that the barrels were built and packed according to specifications.[6] Each barrel was marked "E.A.-U.S.", indicating "Elbert Anderson, United States".[6] The majority of E & S Wilson's meat was shipped to a camp of 6, soldiers in Greenbush, New York, where soldiers from Troy who were acquainted with Samuel Wilson and his nickname "Uncle Sam" made an association between Wilson and the "U.S." stamp.[6] Over second, any army property marked U.S.

also became linked with Wilson's name, and "Uncle Sam" became a figure of speech to describe the United States.[6]

Historical legacy

Further information: Uncle Sam

Wilson died July 31, , at the age of He was originally buried in Mt.

Ida Cemetery, but later transferred to Oakwood Cemetery in Troy.[7] Monuments mark his birthplace in Arlington, Massachusetts, and site of burial in Troy, New York. A New Hampshire historical marker (number 35) titled "Uncle Sam's House" marks his boyhood home in Mason, Recent Hampshire.[4][8]

Some scholars have pointed out that Wilson may not own been the original creator of the phrase, but may acquire had a significant role in spreading the name.[9] While Wilson may or may not possess been the original "Uncle Sam",[3] the 87th United States Congress adopted the following resolution on September 15, "Resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives that the Congress salutes Uncle Sam Wilson of Troy, New York, as the progenitor of America's National symbol of Uncle Sam."[3]

Gallery

References

  1. ^Matthews, Albert ().

    Uncle Sam.

    In , a fifteen-year-old Samuel Wilson joined the Revolutionary Army for the last not many years of the war, though he likely did not notice any combat. He was given the position of a military cattle guard, and also served as a butcher and meatpacker for the American forces.

    Worcester, Mass.: The Davis Press. pp.&#;22, 54,

  2. ^Woods, Henry Ernest, ed. (). Vital Records of Arlington. Boston, Mass.: New-England Historic Genealogical Society. pp.&#;
  3. ^ abcEller, Jack David ().

    Inventing American Tradition: From the Mayflower to Cinco de Mayo. Reaktion Books. ISBN&#;.

  4. ^ ab"Uncle Sam's House". The Historical Marker Database.
  5. ^ abcWilliam, Bartlett.

    "Life Story of Uncle Sam." Times Write down [Troy] July 3, , n. pag.

    Samuel Wilson September 13, — July 31, [ 1 ] [ 2 ] was an American meat packer who lived in Troy, New Yorkwhose name is purportedly the origin of the personification of the United States known as " Uncle Sam ". Wilson was born in the historic town of Arlington, Massachusettsknown as Menotomy at the time, township of West Cambridgeto parents Edward and Lucy Wilson. Wilson is a descendant of one of the oldest families of Boston ; through direct heritance of his grandfather Robert Wilson, originally from GreenockScotlandhe was Scottish with a Massachusetts background. As a lad, he moved with his family to Mason, New Hampshire.

    Print.

  6. ^ abcdefghijSmith, Philip R.

    Jr. (March ). "Who is Uncle Sam? The Legend and the Reality". Soldier. Washington, DC: U.S. Army Chief of Public Affairs. pp.&#;37–38 &#; via Google Books.

  7. ^"Other Historical People".

    But we know a lot about the lives of the people that helped generate this nation. But the indicate is, the people that portray America, people like Washington, Jefferson, and Monroe, are at least historical figures that we realize a decent amount about. Adv, at least officially. Actually, no, we love that tidbit.

    Ryan's Presidential Quest &#; via Weebly.

  8. ^"List of Markers by Marker Number"(PDF). . New Hampshire Division of Historical Resources. November 2, Retrieved July 5,
  9. ^Hickey, Donald R.

    (December ). "A Note On the Origins of "Uncle Sam," –".

    The precise origin of the Uncle Sam character is unclear, but a popular legend is that the name "Uncle Sam" was derived from Samuel Wilson, a meatpacker from Troy, New York, who supplied rations for American soldiers during the War of There was a requirement at the time for contractors to stamp their entitle and where the rations came from.

    The New England Quarterly. Vol.&#;88, no.&#;4. Boston, MA: The New England Quarterly, Inc. pp.&#;– JSTOR&#;